**** Highly Recommended Holiday is absolutely charming, a delicious treat in the middle of a dreary, cold winter. This modern adaptation of a Cary-Grant-meets-Katherine-Hepburn comedy will have you laughing in no time flat. It has a brilliant cast, gorgeous costumes and two sumptuously decorated sets. Holiday is a must-see! 4 BIG Spotlights
I love those old black and white comedies – especially the Cary-Grant-meets-Katherine-Hepburn versions like Holiday, Bringing Up Baby, and The Philadelphia Story – so this Holiday pops to the top of my modern faves. With a Depression going on, audiences were looking for glamour with their love stories, so many films portrayed the rarified world of the very rich, infiltrated by working stiffs.
(L to R) Molly Griggs, Wesley Taylor, Bryce Gangel, Luigi Sottile, Jordan Lage. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Holiday fits that mode. An up-and-coming young lawyer, Johnny Case (Luigi Sottile) is in a relationship with Julia Seton (Molly Griggs), of the Upper East Side Setons. Julia, who is being groomed to take over the family business, is all-business all the time. Johnny, who grew up in a working-class family, is brash about his goal of making money, so she thinks they’re a good match.
When she brings Johnny home to meet her family, it’s immediately obvious to him that he’s in way over his head. Julia’s younger sister, Linda (Bryce Gangel), the family rebel – because she teaches art and lives in Red Hook – is lounging in the drawing room. Although the sisters embrace they can’t help sniping at each other. Julia just can’t help giving unwanted advice.
(L-R) Bryce Gangel, Rammel Chan. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Soon Walter (Rammel Chan), the family’s private chef, who hopes to open a restaurant with the father, delivers tea and snacks. Their brother, Ned (Wesley Taylor), the family failure – several stints in rehab have all failed – and he’s gay, strolls in, the zingers keep coming. When Edward (Jordan Lage) comes in, the heated atmosphere becomes cooler and more formal. He’s cordial but cool when Julia introduces Johnny as her fiancé.
A few days later, the family hosts a formal evening to announce the engagement. The guests include Nikka Washburn (Christiana Clark), a dear friend (separately) to both Johnny and Julia. Nikka, a highly successful fundraiser, is happily married to Susan Feld (Jessie Fisher), who inherited ‘virtuous’ money. Julia’s loathsome cousin, Seton Cram (Erik Hellman), and his wife Laura (Alexandra Escalante), who is worse, are also in attendance. Seton misses no chance to kiss up to Edward and/or insult his cousins.
(L to R) Alejandra Escalante, Erik Hellman. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Linda is furious at her father because she wanted to throw a party for her sister and invite her friends, but the party has turned into an A-list New Year’s Eve bash. When she retreats to the attic playroom, Johnny follows her. When Nikki, Susan and Ned join them, she feels more comfortable. Julia isn’t happy, demanding that Johnny come downstairs for the NYE countdown, but he’s more comfortable with Linda, leading to an eventual confrontation.
Kudos to Walt Spangler for the gorgeous sets. The drawing was stiff and elegant while the second act’s attic ‘playroom’ was absolutely perfect.
(L to R) Christiana Clark, Bryce Gangel, Luigi Sottile, Jessie Fisher. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Holiday is Richard Greenberg’s modern adaptation of Philip Barry’s 1928 classic comedy that inspired two films. The original Holiday, directed by Arthur Hopkins, opened on Broadway in 1928. The Goodman version is directed by Robert Falls.
Holiday runs through March 8th in the Albert Theatre, Goodman Theatre, 170 N. Dearborn, Chicago. Most reasonable parking option for the Goodman is the Government Center garage (entrance on Lake Street between LaSalle and Dearborn), online advance payment at www.interparkonline.com/goodmantheatre.
(L to R) Bryce Gangel, Wesley Taylor. Photo by Todd Rosenberg
Running time is about two hours, 30 minutes, with an intermission. Performances are Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30 pm; Wednesdays & Saturdays at 2:00 & 7:30 pm; and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Tickets range from $44-$159. FYI (312) 443-3800 or www.goodmantheatre.org.